Pope Leo XIV today expressed his concern for the recent attacks in several cities of Ukraine, calling for an opportunity for dialogue between the parties involved in the conflict.
© Elisabetta Trevisan – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
06/09/2026
by
Lusa
“ Dand close heart followed the news of the violent attacks that recently affected several cities and civil infrastructure in Ukraine, causing the death of innocent people,” the Pope said after Sunday prayer of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.
Leo XIV made a new appeal to “end violence”, “stop destruction” and open hearts “to dialogue and peace”.
The Pope also expressed the hope that the efforts made in recent days to resume the peace negotiations will produce “concrete fruits”.
“ I hope that the efforts made in these days to resume negotiations will make room for diplomacy,” he concluded.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, envoys of the US Head of State Donald Trump, were in Moscow on Saturday, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, and arrived today in Kyiv in an attempt to reduce the tension and escalation of the war.
The Pope's words arise when a new escalation of the war occurs, marked by the intensification of Russian attacks on urban areas and infrastructure and by a large number of civilian victims. Ukraine has also increased its attacks on Russian territory.